PARS vs PAPS Explained for Ontario Shippers
PARS and PAPS are the two pre-arrival systems used for truck freight crossing between Canada and the United States. This guide from Agant Elite Logistics in Brampton, Ontario explains the difference.
What is PARS?
PARS stands for Pre-Arrival Review System. It is used for commercial freight entering Canada. The customs broker submits the importer's release information to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) before the truck arrives, using a unique PARS number that is usually printed as a barcode label and attached to the shipping documents.
The carrier also submits an ACI (Advance Commercial Information) eManifest to the CBSA, which lists the truck, driver and the PARS number for each shipment on board.
What is PAPS?
PAPS stands for Pre-Arrival Processing System. It is used for commercial freight entering the United States. The carrier creates a PAPS number, typically its SCAC code followed by a unique shipment number, and gives it to the customs broker, who files the entry with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The carrier submits an ACE (Automated Commercial Environment) eManifest to CBP before arrival, listing the PAPS number for each shipment.
What is the difference between PARS and PAPS?
The simplest way to remember it: PARS is for northbound freight into Canada and PAPS is for southbound freight into the United States.
- PARS: entering Canada, CBSA, paired with ACI eManifest
- PAPS: entering the United States, CBP, paired with ACE eManifest
- Both require the customs broker to file before the truck arrives
- Both use a barcode label that the driver carries with the documents
What goes wrong most often?
Most delays come from mismatched numbers, missing broker filings or manifests submitted too late. A PAPS number on the manifest that does not match the broker's filing, or a broker who never received the commercial invoice, can hold a truck at the border.
Checking the number, the barcode and the broker's confirmation before the driver leaves the shipper prevents most of these problems.
How does Agant Elite Logistics help?
Agant Elite Logistics coordinates PARS and PAPS details between the shipper, the customs broker and the carrier, and confirms that the broker has what it needs before the crossing. The customs broker remains responsible for customs clearance.
Frequently asked questions
- Is PARS for Canada or the US?
- PARS is used for freight entering Canada; PAPS is used for freight entering the United States.
- Who creates the PAPS number?
- The carrier creates the PAPS number, usually using its SCAC code, and shares it with the customs broker.
- Does a PARS or PAPS number replace the eManifest?
- No. The carrier must still submit the ACI eManifest for Canada or the ACE eManifest for the US.